DARPA Might Use KC-46s To Recharge Drones Wirelessly | Germany Wants To Join CAVS | South Korean Warships To Fire SM-2 At RIMPAC 2022

Americas

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) published a request for information on June 14 seeking industry feedback on a concept to wirelessly recharge unmanned air vehicles using a high-powered laser mounted on an external pod. Agency officials want industry feedback on the possibility of retrofitting aerial refueling aircraft like the Air Force’s KC-46 and KC-135 with “an underwing power beaming pod” to wirelessly recharge a fleet of unmanned aerial systems. The benefits of having drones recharge their batteries in mid-air include extended range and having small energy storage capacities.

The installation of AN/APG-83 radars on 72 Air National Guard F-16s across nine bases in the United States has been completed. “The completion of these deliveries highlights Northrop Grumman’s continued commitment to rapidly field 5th generation radar capability to the fleet to counter and defeat increasingly sophisticated threats to our nation and its allies,” said Mark Rossi, director, SABR programs, Northrop Grumman.

Middle East & Africa

Nir-Or, an Israeli company that designs, develops, manufactures and integrates electronic systems and products for land, air, and sea military applications, is launching a new product with another Israeli company, Axon-Vision, which develops AI for the defense sector. The two companies presented the EdgeRCWS, an AI system for Next-Generation Remotely Controlled Weapon Stations (NG RCWS).at the Eurosatory.

Europe

Germany has signed a statement of intent to join the Finnish-led Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) programme, Patria writes in a press release. The official joining agreement is due to be signed before the end of 2022. Germany will be the fifth country to join the first stage of the multinational cooperation. Finland, Latvia and Estonia entered into the programme in 2019 and Sweden in 2021. In the scope of the programme, Patria is responsible for system development.

Asia-Pacific

South Korea intends to test-fire the SM-2 air defense missile interceptor from two warships during RIMPAC 2022 next month. Korean Herald reports that Sejong the Great and Munmu the Great destroyers will each fire one missile off Hawaii.

Charlie Battery, 1-1 ADA (Air Defense Artillery), 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade based in Japan successfully destroyed a cruise missile target using two PAC-3 air defense missile interceptors on June 15 in Palau. This is the first time the Patriot missile has been fired from Palau and the second time the US conduct such live-firing of the Patriot missile west of the International Date Line. According to the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, targeting data was provided from an F-35.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Anti-ship Missile SM-2 in Action . US Navy Missile Launch Compilation | MFA